NON-SPORTING GROUP THE
1. Where do you live? What is your occupation? How many years in dogs? 2. What is your original breed? Did you handle dogs professionally? 3. How many years have you been judging the Non-Sporting breeds? The Group? 4. Are there specific challenges presented to judges by the diversity within this Group? 5. Does a Non-Sporting breed’s historic purpose play a role in your selection process? 6. How important is breed-specific presentation among the Non- Sporting breeds? Breed-specific conditioning? 7. Have you noticed any trends among Non-Sporting breeds that cause concern? Any that have impressed? 8. What are your thoughts about revising breed standards to address health issues? To address coat colors and patterns? 9. Which Non-Sporting breeds have made the greatest strides in overall quality? Which breeds still need work? 10. Does it seem that entries are rising or declining among the Non-Sporting breeds? 11. What advice would you give to breeders and exhibitors of Non-Sporting dogs? 12. Would you encourage exhibitors to compete in companion and performance events? 13. What advice would you offer to aspiring Non-Sporting Group judges? 14. What’s the most memorable moment you’ve ever experienced judging the Non-Sporting Group? 15. And for a bit of humor, what’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened in your Non-Sporting Group ring? ANNE SAVORY BOLUS I live with my husband,
How important is breed-specific presentation and conditioning among the Non-Sporting breeds? I think specific breed presentation and conditioning are both very important. For example, a Dalma- tian must be fit enough to work as a coach dog by having an endur- ing gait which is efficient and smooth as well as a powerful drive from the rear. Have I noticed any trends that cause concern or have impressed? I feel that sometimes some of the dogs I judge are lacking in basic proper proportion, such as square in profile, which is needed and important for that particular breed. What are my thoughts about revising breed standards to address health issues, coat colors and patterns? I feel that health issues are the responsibility of each parent club and there are some that have already done a great deal to encourage testing in various problems. More clubs whose membership wants to do more in this regard should be encouraged. In some breeds where there are patterns which are not completely addressed in the standard, I think these details should be explained clearly to be of help to judges who have not been made aware of any problem. I have found that some of the more knowledgeable and concerned members of some clubs do address these issues in seminars, but more help could be given by showing examples with color and markings described in detail. Which Non-Sporting breeds have made the greatest strides in overall quality or still need work? The breeds which I feel are in good shape at the present time are Poodles, Bichon Frises, Shiba Inus and Tibetan Terriers. There are others that I feel need work to be more competitive; French Bulldogs, Bulldogs, Chow Chows and Chinese Shar-Peis. Does it seem that entries are rising or declining among the Non- Sporting breeds? I don’t think that entries are declining or rising in these breeds at the moment. What advice would I give to breeders and exhibitors of Non- Sporting dogs? Just be careful in your breeding as much as you can. Study how the get have turned out as mature animals and don’t ever breed to the top winners just because they have reached that height. Would I encourage exhibitors to compete in companion and performance events? I think it would depend on the breed and the individual dog, I would not encourage or discourage it for every dog. What advice would I offer to aspiring Non-Sporting Group judges? When you begin to study each breed make sure you learn the history behind each one. Where was a certain breed originated and for what purpose? Why is it a certain size and why does it have a different temperament from other breeds? There is a lot to learn and discover. The most memorable moment I’ve ever experienced judging the Non-Sporting Group? Without a doubt it would have to be judging the Group at the Westminster show in 2017. There were so many beautiful dogs in the ring and I was so pleased to award first to an outstanding Miniature Poodle bitch that I had never judged previ- ously in competition. She was so very deserving and I was complete- ly happy with my choice. The other three placements were beautiful too and I was pleased to place them in such good company. The funniest thing that’s ever happened in my Non-Sporting Group ring? I can’t think of anything that was really funny, but these breeds certainly can be entertaining and a lot of fun. I love to judge the Group and always find some real quality and appreciate clean and well groomed animals that have correct temperaments.
David, also a multi-Group AKC judge, along with our two dogs, a 15-year-old Border Terrier bitch and an eight-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi in Harrison, Ten- nessee. I am retired from being a teacher in England, an AKC professional handler, and I spent 20 years working as an executive Field Representative for AKC. I have been involved in purebred dogs for 58 years.
My original breed here in the U.S.A. was Irish Setters. I handled professionally for several years and was a licensed AKC handler from 1970 to 1984 when I joined AKC. I have been judging the Non-Sporting breeds for nine years starting with Poodles, since I already judged the Toy Group, and have been approved to judge the Group for six years. Are there specific challenges presented to judges by the diver- sity within this Group? Absolutely. Due to the diversity within the Group and the purposes for which they were bred and used. Does a Non-Sporting breed’s historic purpose play a role in my selection process? Of course. I consider whether a certain breed would be capable to do its job today. The breed Standard is there to be followed and learned from.
160 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2020
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